Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds the Government’s commitment today to introduce a modern slavery bill to Parliament by mid-2018. Speaking to stakeholders at a seminar in Canberra, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Alex Hawke said that, “2018 will be a landmark year in acting on modern slavery” and explained the Government aims to … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) calls for immediate steps to be taken to end the torture, violence and abuse against prisoners with disabilities following the release of the report by Human Rights Watch: I Needed Help, Instead I was Punished: Abuse and Neglect of Prisoners with Disabilities in Australia. “The report is very powerful … Read More >>

Leading human rights experts say measures will severely restrict freedom of speech and political communication. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed the the provisions of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 and the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017. ALHR is concerned that the Bills far exceed their … Read More >>

ALHR’s has made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Inquiry into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 ALHR has also made concurrent submission on the separate but related Parliamentary Joint Committee on Security and Intelligence Review of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017 Together, the Bills represent a … Read More >>

ALHR’s has made a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Security and Intelligence Review of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017 ALHR has also made concurrent submission on the separate but related Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 which is also the subject of an Inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Department of Home Affairs Discussion Paper: Managing Australia’s Migrant Intake ALHR recognises the importance of a well-managed Migration Program and the social and economic benefits that migration brings to Australia. While economic and social benefits are important considerations, Australia’s interests would also benefit from innovative and inclusive approaches to … Read More >>

In June 2017 the Federal Government commissioned an Independent Review of Australia’s primary complaints body for dealing with corporate human rights abuses, the OECD Australian National Contact Point (ANCP). Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Final Report of the Independent Review published in December 2017. The ANCP, currently housed in The Treasury, was … Read More >>

During last year’s Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia, the Government outlined a proposal to require large corporations operating in Australia to publish annual statements outlining their actions to address modern slavery throughout their business and supply chains. The Walk Free Foundation has estimated there are up to 40.3 million victims of … Read More >>

Leading human rights lawyers have called on politicians and the media to refrain from xenophobic stereotyping, scapegoating and racist remarks in wake of statements about Victorian youth crime Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the continued attack by certain members of the Federal Government on Victoria’s African communities who are being vilified by the … Read More >>

The 2017 Human Rights Report Card from Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has found Australia continues to significantly lag in key areas such as indigenous rights, disability rights, freedoms and LGBTI rights. Further, many states and territories also performed poorly in their approach to human rights. “As a nation, we can’t seem to move … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) by the Australian government last Friday 15 December 2017. OPCAT is an international agreement which aims to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has called on the ACT Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to an absolute minimum of 12 years of age. An 11-year-old girl recently appeared in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Children’s Court charged with offences relating to alleged violence against her carers. Due … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), has expressed dismay at the Northern Territory (NT) Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw’s intention to send the Territory Response Group (TRG), a unit of camouflaged, specialised police with military-grade weapons, to target children in Darwin and Alice Springs at night. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “We are astonished that … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is concerned about the potential implications of the new expanded police powers under the Crimes (Police Powers and Firearms Offence) Amendment Bill 2017 which recently passed in the Australian Capital Territory. The Act has created a new offence of “drive by shootings” and will expand police powers by allowing … Read More >>

By ALHR Refugee Rights Subcommittee Co-Chairs Khanh Hoang and Rebecca Dowd and Sahar Okhovat and Asher Hirsch, Refugee Council of Australia Abstract Family reunion remains a significant issue for refugee communities in Australia. Family separation causes significant psychological, social and economic harm to displaced communities. Instead of supporting the reunion of refugee families, the current law … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) have expressed serious concerns about Michaelia Cash, the Federal Minister for Women’s, decision to cross the floor to vote in favour of a November 16th motion by Australian Conservatives Senator Mr Cory Bernadi. The motion was designed to criticise White Ribbon, an organisation dedicated to reducing violence against women, … Read More >>

Next week in Geneva, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will assess Australia’s compliance with the CERD. The NGO coalition report to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (the CERD Committee) examines Australia’s compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned the serious ongoing violations of the human rights of girls held in detention in the Northern Territory confirmed by the findings of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children. Anna Kerr, Co-chair of ALHR’s Women and Girls’ Rights Committee said, “The Commission’s report documents … Read More >>

Australia is the only Western liberal democracy without a bill of rights or federal charter of rights. Leading human rights lawyers are saying that the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday of an inquiry into freedom of religion in Australia and the current debate around religious freedoms in any marriage equality bill highlights very clearly our urgent … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers say shocking findings of NT Royal Commission should motivate Australia to strengthen international protections for Aussie kids. At a time when the protection of Australian children’s rights has never been more important the Turnbull Government is being called upon to sign a United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to be one of nearly 100 organisations to have joined Change the Record to call for immediate national action so we never see abuse again. https://changetherecord.org.au/blog/news/100-organisations-call-for-national-action-on-youth-justice We are horrified by the abuses and torture of children in detention in the Northern Territory, highlighted throughout the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed concern over the recent death of a man after a taser was used on him by ACT police officers. In some Australian states, due to their high volatility and danger, the use of tasers by police is restricted special operations groups. Despite the incident, the ACT Police … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has written to congratulate members of the Federal Parliament for committing to allow a historic victory for equality and human rights in the LGBTI community. Australians have voted “yes” in overwhelming numbers and we look forward to the passage of legislation ensuring marriage equality. We applaud the inclusive language … Read More >>

ALHR open letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bill Shorten 15th November 2017 Dear Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, How will history view today? On this historic day for marriage equality in Australia, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) warmly congratulates you both for … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seriously concerned about the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. To help Australians understand what is happening to the Rohinya population in Myanmar, ALHR has conducted a legal analysis applying International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Criminal Law (ICL) to the conduct perpetrated by the Myanmar security forces. ALHR’s … Read More >>

The Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed a secretive New South Wales Police program which disproportionately targets young people, particularly Aboriginal youth, for pre-emptive policing. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “The Suspect Target Management Plan enables any NSW police officer to place people, including minors, who have never been convicted of an … Read More >>

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s decision to rule out an Indigenous ‘Voice to Parliament’, (as proposed in the Referendum Council’s “Uluru Statement from the Heart”) as “not desirable”, is erroneous and misconceived, says Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Benedict Coyne. ALHR calls on the government to reconsider this misguided position and instead embrace the … Read More >>

As the voting period on Marriage Equality comes to an end, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) are seeking to remind the Australian community of the human rights reasons to vote ‘yes’ before the cut off time of 6pm on 7 November 2017. ALHR LGBTI subcommittee co-chair, Nicholas Stewart said, “At present LGBTI couples do … Read More >>

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly opposes proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Migration Act, which have the potential to further trample the human rights of innocent people in Australian immigration detention, thereby amplifying and aggravating their existing traumas” says ALHR President Benedict Coyne. “The amendments would allow dog searches, strip searches and warrantless searches, … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed a Victorian Magistrates Court decision this week which confirmed the lawfulness of safe access zones around reproductive health clinics in Victoria and saw the first conviction of an anti-abortion protestor under the legislation. These important legislative measures make it unlawful to harass and intimidate people or to … Read More >>

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has stated its opposition to proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Criminal Code* which create an offence for conduct which could be taken as implying that the person represents either a real or fictitious Commonwealth body. Such conduct is punishable with up to five (5) years imprisonment where there is … Read More >>

Photo Credit: A chairs used to restrain an autistic child at a NSW school. Picture: 7.30/ABCSource:ABC Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is alarmed at a recent report of the restraint of a seven-year-old autistic boy in his classroom in NSW. ALHR is outraged at the use of restrictive practices against children with disabilities in schools, … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) renews its call for a Commonwealth Human Rights Act amid fears the Australian Government is once more abandoning vital principles that form the bedrock of our criminal justice system in knee-jerk anti-terror proposals – this time involving extended incarceration without charge, a database of biometric facial recognition of all … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) supports those submissions to the NSW Parliamentary Committee on Children and Young People’s current Inquiry into the prevention of youth suicide which call for improvements to the care of LGBTI students and for improvements to school anti-bullying and teaching programmes. “It is extremely disturbing,” say LGBTI Committee Co-Chairs Nicholas … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is extremely saddened by the recent death of a man on Manus Island. Scott Cosgriff, co-chair of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee said, “This is the ninth death since offshore processing began in August 2012 and the second on Manus in only the last two months.” “This tragedy, like those … Read More >>

ALHR would like to share with you some human rights-based responses to some of the main arguments being put forward by the ‘no’ campaign. It is not true that: ‘LGBTI couples already have the same legal rights as married couples in Australia’ Check out the following resources for an explanation of some of … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is pleased to announce the success of its event, ‘Human Rights in Western Australia – An ALHR Panel Discussion’, held in Perth on the evening of Thursday 14 September 2017. ALHR was joined by esteemed panellists Chris Evans, CEO of Walk Free Foundation, Catherine Eagle, Principal Solicitor of Welfare … Read More >>

What to do if you have not received your marriage equality voting form? It’s not too late! Please share with your family and friends so that everyone can be a voter. Here’s what you can do if: · You have not received your form · You have lost your form · Your form has been damaged … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to be amongst a coalition of non-government organisations (NGOs) from across Australia who have contributed to this report to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee (the Committee). The report examines Australia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The report is intended to inform the Committee’s sixth review … Read More >>

Please join ALHR and our esteemed panelists for an inspiring and informative evening of discussion on the human right to housing. Every person is entitled to adequate access to a safe and secure place to live. This is enshrined in international human rights law yet in Australia we are seeing the number of people who find … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has joined a number of prominent international non-governmental organisations in calling on the Supreme Court of the Maldives to rescind the indefinite suspension of 56 lawyers who signed a joint petition raising concerns over the conduct of the judiciary and calling for judicial reforms and independence. Following receipt of … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into Human Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant Tourism. The Inquiry is seeking to examine whether Australia’s federal criminal laws should extend to conduct that occurs overseas, and whether Australia … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) commends the ACT Government for becoming the first Australian state or territory to gazette Reconciliation Day as a public holiday. The inaugural holiday will be held on 28 May 2018 at the start of National Reconciliation Week and will replace Family and Community Day in the Territory. ALHR ACT … Read More >>

On August 18, 2017 ALHR’s Business & Human Rights Subcommittee made a submission to the Treasury’s independent Review of the OECD Australian National Contact Point (ANCP), which currently sits within Treasury. The ANCP was established in 2001 under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the Guidelines). It is one of the most important mechanisms available in … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling for all 32 recommendations from the report by the Standing Committee on Health, Ageing and Community Services to be immediately applied across all organisations in the Australian Capital Territory to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities to employment. ALHR supports all the recommendations including a standalone … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Inquiry into the incarceration rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. On 17th July the ALRC released a Discussion Paper, Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (DP 84), and issued a call for comments and feedback on its questions and law reform proposals. … Read More >>

On 5 September 2017 ALHR sent the below open letter to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton regarding remarks made whilst on-air with 2GB Radio broadcaster Alan Jones on 28 August 2017. We also sent a copy of our letter to the Prime Minister. Dear Minister Dutton, Disparaging Remarks about Lawyers and the Constitution We write … Read More >>

ALHR member volunteers required for a Public Consultation Submission ALHR continues to advocate for the enactment of a Modern Slavery Act in Australia with a view to abolishing modern slavery in all its forms in the domestic and global supply chains of companies operating in Australia. In February 2017 the Australian Government announced an Inquiry … Read More >>

ALHR invites you to join us for an evening of film, music and spoken word, bringing the community together to raise awareness and inspire conversations about the rights of asylum seekers and refugees in Australia. At a time when the Australian law and policies are having prejudicial impact on the rights of people seeking asylum, … Read More >>

ALHR is pleased to support the Australian Premiere of the groundbreaking documentary Hope Road in Canberra on the evening of 13 September 2017. An inspiring documentary Hope Road, made by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Tom Zubrycki is having a cinema screening in Canberra – after successful screenings at Sydney and Melbourne film festivals. Hope Road is the story of Zacharia, a refugee from the Sudanese civil war, who desperately … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Attorney General on the Exposure Draft of the Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill 2017—Public Consultation on Cross-examination Amendment Reform of family law is urgent as the human rights of women and children are being routinely infringed and access to justice is a particular … Read More >>

ALHR made a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission on the Australian Government’s implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). On 9 February 2017, the Australian Government announced that it intends to ratify the OPCAT by December 2017 and ALHR welcomed … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has spoken out in support of NSW Law Society President Pauline Wright and expressed its disappointment at criticisms levelled at her following a joint statement in support of marriage equality made by the Law Society of NSW, the NSW Bar Association and the NSW branch of the Australian Medical … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemn Peter Dutton’s attack on our legal system and his attempt to redefine what Australians really stand for. The Minister’s total disregard for each and every person’s right to have legal representation, not just in Australia, but around the world, is extremely worrying. President of ALHR, Benedict Coyne said, “In … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) expresses profound concern for asylum seekers and refugees who will reportedly have their welfare and income support cut off and be told to leave Australia under new measures effective today. The policy affects people who sought asylum in Australia but were sent to Manus Island and Nauru and, who … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly today declaring the ACT Government’s willingness to settle refugees from Manus Island and Nauru. The motion acknowledges that refugees in offshore processing centres have been subjected to violent attacks, sexual violence, inadequate medical care, and harassment. It requests the Federal Government … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Crimes (Intimate Image Abuse) Amendment Bill 2017 (ACT) which now makes it illegal to share an intimate photo without consent. The Crimes (Intimate Image Abuse) Amendment Bill 2017 (ACT) makes it a crime to publish, or threaten to publish, intimate photos and images. The punishment is up … Read More >>

There is no time like the present to correct a national history of exclusion and discrimination. Although ALHR strongly believes that the postal poll is flawed, if the High Court does not rule it unconstitutional, we urge Australians to still vote and vote yes! How 1. If you are reading this before Thursday 24 August, please check … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into Human Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant Tourism. Read our Media Release Here This Inquiry seeks to examine how the Australian legal system deters organ trafficking and what more can be done to prevent this offence from occurring … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly urges the Tasmanian Parliament to reject the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016, which ALHR understands is to be debated in the Tasmanian Legislative Council today The Bill proposes to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 to remove legal protections against discrimination and speech which incites hatred and ridicule for religious … Read More >>

Please join Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) for an inspiring evening of discussion and reflection about the state of human rights protections in Western Australia. We will be joined by esteemed panelists Hon Chris Evans, Catherine Eagle and John Southalan About Our Panelists Hon Chris Evans is CEO of the Global Freedom Network, an organisation … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the Australian Government’s decision to invite voluntary postal views from some Australian voters on the human rights issue of marriage equality. “We support the current constitutional challenge to the funding of this divisive and ridiculous proposal which will not produce a statistically meaningful outcome and is, unhappily, likely … Read More >>

The NSW Government’s recently-passed legislation regarding public safety on Sydney Crown land, in an attempt to dismantle the homeless camp in Martin Place, is Orwellian, retrograde, and a blatant abuse of human rights, according to Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. “Homelessness is not a lifestyle choice,” said Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Vice President Kerry … Read More >>

ALHR has written to members of the Senate cross bench urging them to consider voting outright against the passage of the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (Cth) (the Bill). The Australian Government is seeking to make substantial changes to the requirements for the acquisition of … Read More >>

In a further blow to the Turnbull Government’s position against a free vote on marriage equality, a damning decision of the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) highlights further injustices caused by Australia’s policy on marriage between same-sex attracted people. The decision found in favour of an Australian woman, Dr Fiona Kumari Campell, who was married … Read More >>

Leading Australian human rights lawyers have welcomed a landmark UK Supreme Court judgement handed down last Wednesday, arguing the decision sets an important precedent for Australian courts in relation to the need to ensure access to justice and equality before the law. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Women and Girls’ Rights Subcommittee Co-Chair Anna Kerr … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seeking expressions of interest from experienced lawyers to Co-Chair our National Disability Rights Subcommittee The successful applicant for the role will be a lawyer or legal academic with expert knowledge of and passion for disability rights law. Applicants with a lived experience of disability are strongly encouraged to … Read More >>

ALHR commends the SA Mental Health Commission for undertaking this review and for recognising a number of key themes related to the mental well-being of individuals with mental illness, including reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and promoting tailored responses for those experiencing mental illness. However, it is the view of the ALHR that … Read More >>

In May ALHR welcomed the opportunity to make a submission in relation to the development of a new SA Mental Health Strategic Plan. ALHR has called for the SA Mental Health Strategic Plan to be consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), by reviewing the Mental Health Act 2009 … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has added its voice to calls for the New South Wales Government to increase victims of crime compensation, describing current levels of compensation as “completely inadequate” following significant cuts to the scheme made in 2013. ALHR says victims of gendered crimes such as child abuse, sexual assault and domestic … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seriously concerned about reports of alleged breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL) by members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) operating in Afghanistan. ALHR International Humanitarian Law spokesperson, Hector Sharp said, “the reports published yesterday by the ABC are deeply shocking. Allegations that reckless and negligent behavior of … Read More >>

A leading national human rights organisation has welcomed a new Aboriginal Justice Agreement for the Northern Territory. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) Vice President Kerry Weste said, “The NT’s Aboriginal incarceration rate is a crisis of devastating proportions. Around 90 per cent of the Territory’s prisoner population are Indigenous and the human rights impacts … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seeking expressions of interest from lawyers to take up roles as Co-Convenors in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. There are three volunteer positions available and the successful applicants will join the existing experienced lawyers currently in post as Convenors. ALHR State/ Territory Convenors are responsible for … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed alarm over concerning allegations of human rights abuses at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre in Canberra. A series of articles published by Fairfax Media, has alleged detainees have been subjected to acts of violence, including guards encouraging children to settle disputes by way of violence, drug overdoses and … Read More >>

Media release For release on Thursday 29 June 2017 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Attorney-General’s re-release of the unredacted final Report of the Queensland Youth Justice Review. ALHR says the report clearly reinforces the urgent need for the Palaszczuk government to stay good on its promise to pass a Queensland Human Rights … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the High Court of Australia’s decision to grant special leave to Garry Burns to appeal a NSW Court of Appeal decision that the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has no power to determine anti-discrimination matters between residents of different States. The Court of Appeal was asked whether … Read More >>

Executive Summary We are very pleased, honoured and excited to provide our first ALHR annual President and Vice President’s Report. We were both incredibly fortunate to take up our positions following a stellar two years of growth for ALHR under the brilliant leadership of Nathan Kennedy. During our first year in these roles we have also been … Read More >>

Abandoning rule of law does not make us safer Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is alarmed that the New South Wales Government has today rushed through the parliament knee-jerk anti-terror proposals. ALHR fears the Berejiklian Government is abandoning vital principles that form the bedrock of our criminal justice system with virtually no opportunity for … Read More >>

Photo Credit: As published by ALJAZEERA: screen grab from footage shot by Kurdistan24 shows what looks to be the use of white phosphorus in Iraq (YouTube) Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has raised serious concerns about the use of White Phosphorus in Mosul, Iraq by the Combined Joint Force operating against ISIS, of which … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) believes there are substantial risks involved with this weeks fast-tracked changes to the complex law governing Australia’s traditional owners’ native title rights, the Native Title Act (NTA) and calls for further consultation before the Senate votes later today. Further consultation is required to examine how the Native Title Amendment … Read More >>

In an initiative led by Women’s Legal Service NSW, ALHR along with 87 other organisations has signed an open letter to Minister Kean and Minister Goward, urging the NSW Government to expand the evidence victims of domestic violence will be able to rely on to end their tenancy immediately without penalty. As the Women’s Legal … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) fears the Australian Government is abandoning vital principles that form the bedrock of our criminal justice system in knee-jerk anti-terror proposals regarding bail and parole. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “We are concerned that the Prime Minister’s hasty proposal to create presumptions against bail and parole for people … Read More >>

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has commenced an inquiry into whether Australia should adopt national legislation to combat modern slavery, comparable to the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015. ALHR made a detailed submission to the Inquiry supporting the implementation of a … Read More >>

On 12th May ALHR made submission to the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism. The committee is to inquire into and report on ways of protecting and strengthening Australia’s multiculturalism and social inclusion. The protection, promotion and strengthening of Australia’s multiculturalism and policies of social inclusion are integral to Australia’s progress and its stable democratic nature. All marginalised … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned at the Turnbull Government’s October 1 deadline for 7,500 asylum seekers to lodge applications for protection or face possible deportation and cuts to their welfare. These measures affect the Legacy Caseload: asylum seekers who arrived in Australia by boat between August 2012 and December 2013, who … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), The University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney invite you to join us for an evening in conversation with Dr Sima Samar, Chair of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), discussing the AIHRC’s work addressing women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. The situation for women and … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has lamented the 2017 Federal Budget as a missed opportunity for Australia to show leadership in enhancing refugee protection in the Asia Pacific region. Khahn Hoang, Co-Chair of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee said, “ALHR welcomes the announcement of an increase in Australia’s refugee and humanitarian intake from 13,750 to … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) congratulates the Queensland Attorney General for her proposal to introduce a bill to expunge historical homosexual convictions in Queensland Parliament today. “This Bill appropriately enshrines human rights in Queensland,” says ALHR’s LGBTI Committee Co-Chair, Kathryn Cramp. “There is no place for historical criminal records that propagate the myth that … Read More >>

On 17 May 2017 we celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) – an important day for same-sex- attracted, intersex and gender diverse youth. ALHR’s LGBTI Subcommittee Co-Chairs Nicholas Stewart and Kathryn Cramp have written to members of the NSW Parliament urging them to come out publicly in support of IDAHOT and make … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed its strong support for decriminalisation of abortion in NSW. Co-Chair of ALHR’s Women and Girls’ Rights Subcommittee, Rita Shackel, said the failure to provide safe, legal and accessible abortion services is a violation of fundamental human rights and that exclusion zones surrounding abortion clinics need to be … Read More >>

About the Role Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seeking expressions of interest from experienced lawyers to Co-Chair our National Business and Human Rights Subcommittee (BHR Subcommittee). The two Co-Chairs will be responsible for leading ALHR’s work in the business and human rights space at a national and international level. The successful applicants will … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has spoken out against the Tasmanian Government’s proposal to introduce mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offences against minors. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR is strongly opposed to mandatory minimum prison terms on the basis that they impose unacceptable restrictions on judicial discretion and independence, and … Read More >>

The 5th of May marks the fourth anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR). Sixteen leading civil societies organisations, have written to the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and the Attorney General Senator George Brandis calling on the Australian government to celebrate … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to have contributed to and endorsed the attached Australian NGO report for the 2017 review under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The submission has been prepared by the National Association of Community Legal Centres and Kingsford Legal Centre, with contributions from a number of NGOs across Australia and … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that it will reinstate funding previously cut from the Australian Community Legal Centre sector (the CLC sector) in the 2017–18 Budget. ALHR has written to the Commonwealth Attorney General thanking him for making this important decision. However, while his office’s press release suggests there … Read More >>

Photo Credit: poppies&sun: http://www.surreyphoto.co.uk/pages/surrey-art-for-sale.php?gall_id=49&page_no=1 OP-ED by Benedict Coyne, President, Australian lawyers for Human Rights The spirit of ANZAC and human rights go hand-in-hand. On this sacred day in our nation’s annual calendar we remember not only Gallipoli but the invocation of courage, mateship, and sacrifice in protecting our fundamental freedoms and way of life, all … Read More >>

Allegations have emerged in international media of the murder, torture and illegal detention of gay men in Chechnya, a republic of Russia, and the arrest of 53 gay men in Nigeria. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed its support for and solidarity with human rights activists making arrangements to evacuate gay men from … Read More >>

On Friday the government released a report by the Senate committee on legal and constitutional affairs, which followed a seven-month inquiry into allegations of abuse on Manus and Nauru sparked by the publication of the Nauru files. ALHR’s submission was quoted extensively throughout the report. The Co-Chairs of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee Rebecca Dowd and … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has urged the Tasmanian Parliament to reject proposed changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (“the Act”) when it is tabled for second reading in the Upper House. ALHR has slammed the proposed changes to the Act, citing deep concerns that the amendments would have widespread negative implications for many … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes recent changes to expand discrimination law in the ACT. The Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 (ACT) expands discrimination law to now include extra grounds on which discrimination is prohibited including where it is based on a person’s accommodation status, employment status, intersex status, status as a victim of family … Read More >>

The ALHR Annual General Meeting will be held on 18 April 2016 at 7:00pm AEST Level 9, 60 Castlereagh Street, Sydney Please e-mail membershipenquiries@alhr.org.au if you intend to attend in person to allow access to the building or if you intend to attend in person in your local State or Territory please contact your local convenor … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has concerns about the federal government’s submission to the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2017. The government has argued that an increase in the minimum wage is an inefficient way to address relative living standards or the needs of the low-paid. The government’s view is misguided and risks … Read More >>

ALHR has written to the new Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan and WA Attorney General John Quigley congratulating them on their very successful election result and offering our support for the introduction of a Western Australian Human Rights Act. Australia remains alone amongst western liberal democracies and common law legal systems as bereft of a constitutional … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed strong support for the creation of exclusion zones surrounding reproductive health services clinics as a way of protecting and promoting the human rights of women accessing essential health services. Like the Abortion Law Reform (Miscellaneous Acts Amendment) Bill 2016 introduced last year by Dr Mehreen Faruqi, the Summary … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is concerned the Queensland government and crossbenchers have rejected the proposal to mandate that victims and their families be notified when perpetrators are granted bail or parole. Such measures, rather than more populist moves like the introduction of presumptions against bail, will more effectively ensure the safety of women … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling for an immediate royal commission into the treatment of people living with disability in taxpayer-funded group homes and disability accommodation as highlighted in last night’s episode of Four Corners. ALHR President Benedict Coyne said, “the episode reinforced the findings of a Senate inquiry released in November 2015 … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers have voiced their grave concerns about the government’s continued relentless push to privatise essential specialist domestic violence services for women by awarding contracts to religious and other for profit agencies. The latest service facing possible closure, is Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia (RDVSA) – a vital service first established by the … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed Coalition MPs’ proposal to strip down Australia’s racial discrimination laws on Harmony Day. “The suggested change to replace the words ‘insult, offend or humiliate’ with ‘harass’ demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of the way racist hate speech works its harm by establishing racist discourse as socially acceptable,” ALHR … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) would like to warmly thank the business chiefs who have shown leadership by standing up for the human rights of LGBTI Australians and voiced their support for marriage equality. The realisation of human rights requires courageous and strong voices from all sections of the community, including the corporate sector. … Read More >>

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s failure to censure US President Donald Trump’s recent policy decisions on refugees and immigration, supporting torture, violating the rights of women and rescinding protections for transgender students – to name just a few – highlight concerning inconsistencies in Australia’s current candidacy for a … Read More >>

On Sunday 5th march ALHR QLD Convenor, Kate Marchesi, spoke on a panel at the annual One Woman Project’s International Women’s Day High Tea in Brisbane. The One Woman Project is a youth-led, registered non-for-profit organisation focused upon education about and advocacy promoting gender equality and the theme of this year’s High Tea was … Read More >>

An exclusive report by news agency, Reuters, that the Australian Government has allegedly increased payments to some asylum seekers on Manus Island to $US25,000 to return home has spread widely with Radio France International calling for an interview with ALHR about what this could mean. You can listen to RFI’s interview with ALHR President, Benedict Coyne, here. … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is profoundly concerned about reports that the Australian Government has brought forward deadlines for asylum seekers who are subject to fast-track refugee status determination. Asylum seekers have been told to lodge their application within 14, 30 or 60 days of receiving a letter or risk losing welfare payments, access … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the recent Senate Select Committee Report on the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill of 15 February 2017 and calls for a free vote on an amended bill. While the bill as originally proposed sought widespread exemptions to antidiscrimination law on the grounds of religion, the Committee report tempers … Read More >>

ALHR has written to the the Hon Susan Kiefel AC to express our congratulations on her appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and to the Hon James Edelman congratulating him on his appointment to the Court. The appointment of the Hon Susan Kiefel AC as Chief Justice is historic by virtue … Read More >>

More than 100 Australian LGBTI groups and leaders, Including ALHR’s LGBTI Subcommittee, have joined together in the wake of the Senate Inquiry Report into the Draft Amendment to the Marriage Act to voice their support for the example set by the committee and to urge the parliament to act on marriage equality for all … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcome today’s announcement by Federal Attorney-General George Brandis and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that Australia will ratify the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). OPCAT is an international agreement which aims to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in detention. The OPCAT was … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to support and sign this open statement calling on our leaders to take responsibility and act to end the uncertainty for people on Manus Island and Nauru. It is time for for a bipartisan approach to evacuate the camps and bring people here to safety. Open statement calling for immediate action on offshore detention We, … Read More >>

On the 50th anniversary of the hanging of Ronald Ryan, the last man executed in Australia, leading human rights lawyers say the Turnbull Government must act to protect Australians from a fate such as that suffered by Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran and their loved ones. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights President Benedict Coyne is today … Read More >>

President Trump’s anti-Muslim immigration ban executive order has had global impact and has shaken awake the democratic world. The executive order may impact Australians’ friends and families. It is the most extreme form of discrimination, injustice, and unfairness and unsurprisingly it is unconstitutional. Many Iraqi and Syrian refugees who have been detained at US immigration … Read More >>

ALHR has written a submission to the NT Attorney-General and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles MLA, on proposed changes to legislation governing termination of pregnancy in the Territory. Access to abortion in the NT is extremely limited and inconsistent with other jurisdictions. The NT government proposes to repeal section 11 of the Medical Services Act, introduce a … Read More >>

Picture Credit: American Civil Liberties Union Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed President Trump’s erroneous and eerie assertion that torture “absolutely…works”. In his first television interview since inauguration, President Trump suggested that Americans should engage in medieval torture because Isis was doing it and “we have to fight fire with fire”. ALHR takes … Read More >>

ALHR believes that it is not appropriate for Australian legislation to retreat from the values and standards required by international law and which have been associated with adequate protection from racial vilification in so many global jurisdictions. We believe that it is not necessary to amend the Racial Discrimination Act but that if any amendment is … Read More >>

ALHR strongly opposes the use of data retained under the mandatory retention scheme for non-criminal and non-security matters involving civil litigation. The mandatory data retention scheme was claimed by the Commonwealth Government to be purely a targeted and proportional response to perceived security threats. The Inquiry is considering the possibility of opening up access to all of the … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) calls on all countries to ensure that lawyers are able to perform their professional obligations without fear of retribution. ALHR has always been saddened by news of lawyers facing consequences such as being silenced, harassed, kidnapped, imprisoned, injured and killed for fulfilling their roles as advocates. 24 January 2017, … Read More >>

At a time when Australians’ human rights have never been more under threat, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) will hold a two-day national conference focused on improving human rights protections in Australia from February 17. The conference will bring together leaders in law, academia, business and community sectors and aims to improve strategic planning … Read More >>

Membership of ALHR provides unique opportunities to advocate for the protection of human rights and enhances your professional development. Paid membership enables ALHR to continually grow its capacity to assist the victims of human rights violations in Australia and support lawyers in the practice of human rights law. If you are new to ALHR simply click here to … Read More >>

The inaugural ALHR National Human Rights Conference will be held on the 17th and 18th February 2017 at the La Trobe University City Campus in Melbourne. We are very excited to announce that registrations are now open! If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate law student scroll down for details of our student op-ed completion which offers the chance to win flights, accomodation and free conference … Read More >>

MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release – 4 January 2017 The current attacks upon past and present pension payment recipients by Centrelink and the Minister for Social Services are “wrong at so many legal levels that it’s hard to know where to begin,”, ALHR President Benedict Coyne said. “At the most basic level, no entity should … Read More >>

ALHR has issued National Report Cards on Australia’s human rights performance for 2016 for all State and Territory Governments as well as for the Federal Government. Over the next two weeks ALHR will issue further subject specific federal report cards on each of ALHR’s areas of strategic focus for 2016. Read on below for a summary … Read More >>

Chair of ALHR’s Business and Human Rights Subcommittee, Amy Sinclair, reflects on the Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, 2016 Last month, I braved the long-haul and flew from Australia to Geneva to experience the Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights. And it is, very much, an experience. Now in its 5th … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned by the shocking Coroner’s findings, released today, regarding the death in custody of a 22 year old Yamatji woman in August 2014. Ms Dhu had been detained in the South Hedland lockup for unpaid fines. ALHR strongly supports WA State Coroner Ros Fogliani’s key recommendations and … Read More >>

The inaugural ALHR National Human Rights Conference will be held on the 17th and 18th February 2017 at the La Trobe University City Campus in Melbourne. We are very excited to announce that registrations are now open! Please see below for further details about the conference and how to register. We look forward to seeing you all there, and having your important contributions to Australia’s practice … Read More >>

ALHR’s Dr Tamsin Clarke, Chair of our Freedoms and Human Rights Act Subcommittees, attended a meeting with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on racism and xenophobia, Mr. Mutuma Ruteere, at the Australian Human Rights Commission in Sydney last week. At the meeting ALHR made detailed oral submissions in relation to multiple concerns regarding racism and … Read More >>

The Australian Government recently announced that it is considering a model for large businesses to publicly report on their actions to address supply chain exploitation. This model could potentially follow that of the UK Modern Slavery Act, introduced in 2015 to address the issue of slavery in supply chains via enhanced corporate transparency. The UK … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) congratulates the South Australian Parliament for enacting four important pieces of legislation that will protect the rights of LGBTI South Australians. Today, in the last sitting week of parliament, the Legislative Council passed the following bills into law: – The Statutes Amendment (Surrogacy Eligibility) Bill 2016 – The Adoption … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is pleased to see Queensland follow New South Wales and Victoria to expunge convictions for homosexuality. In an important step to rectify a history of discrimination, Queensland’s Attorney-General Yvette D’Arth has introduced the draft bill to Parliament. This will affect hundreds of men convicted under Queensland law for consensual … Read More >>

Modern Slavery pollutes global and domestic supply chains and permeates economic activity. It desperately needs addressing to end the exploitation of vulnerable workers, both at home and overseas. Amy Sinclair, Chair of our Business and Human Rights Subcommittee, has been working to address this and ALHR is proud to support business, anti-slavery and religious groups … Read More >>

ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee has been advocating strongly against the Federal Government’s proposed permanent ban on certain refugees ever entering Australia, even on a tourist visa. Under the proposed legislation, persons who arrived in Australia by boat on or after 19 July 2013 and who were over 18 years old at the time they were taken … Read More >>

On 14 November Kahn Hoang and Rebecca Dowd, Co-Chairs of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee met with the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants in Sydney along with other NGO organisations. The meeting went for about 75 mins and the Rapporteur took views from all interested parties in in a round-table discussion. ALHR made … Read More >>

Amy Sinclair, Chair of ALHR’s Business and Human Rights Subcommittee has just returned from Geneva where she represented ALHR at the 2016 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights which was held from 14-16 November. The UN Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering on business and human rights with some 2,300 participants from government, business, community … Read More >>

Gravillea section of Barwon prison. Photo: Angela Wylie Andrews Government subjecting children to appalling conditions in maximum security adult prisons Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned for the wellbeing of the children recently transferred to Barwon maximum security adult prison following allegations they have already been subjected to inappropriate treatment and conditions. ALHR … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) believes that all human rights should be protected in Australia at the federal level through the adoption of an Australian Bill of Rights. But until that until that day comes, it is essential for us to support and strengthen the reasonable protections from racial vilification contained in sections 18C … Read More >>

Stand up for protections against race hate speech: still time to make your submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Freedom of Speech Use the Templates under the heading “Attachments” at the bottom of this page by clicking on the relevant Attachment template to download the Word document. Submission closing date has been extended to 23 December 2016 … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to send 40 children to adult jails in Victoria, stating there are no circumstances that justify the placement of children in the adult prison system. We have today written to Premier Andrews urging his government to reconsider this flagrant breach of the Convention … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly supports recommendations submitted by the First Nations Deaths in Custody Watch Committee of Western Australia (Watch Committee) to the 2016 Asia Pacific Coroners’ Society Conference on Friday. David Woodrofe, Co-Chair of ALHR’s Indigenous Rights Subcommittee said, “The Watch Committee has called on State and Territory governments to take … Read More >>

ALHR’s LGBTI Subcommittee, together with 90 other LGBTI organisations and leaders, have today signed a joint statement calling on supporters of marriage equality in the parliament to unite and work together to find a pathway to achieve marriage equality in this term of Parliament. “As organisations and leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply disappointed to see anti Safe Schools commentary at the Tasmanian Liberal Party annual state conference. While Tasmanian Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff supports Safe Schools, the state Liberal conference passed a motion to abolish the program. Opponents to Safe Schools also resorted to using inflammatory language. Federal funding … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly reject the call for a ‘far reaching’ Parliamentary inquiry aimed at ‘scaling back’ s 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. When similar attempts were made to erode protections against hate speech under the Abbott Government, these changes were unequivocally proven to be unpopular with the majority of Australians. … Read More >>

Australian lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) congratulates the Queensland Parliament on passing laws late Thursday night that will see and end to 17-year-old children being sent to adult jails. However, ALHR is also calling on the Queensland Government to act immediately to protect children who are currently serving sentences in adult jails and to address … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is very pleased to hear that Queensland Parliament has passed legislation allowing same sex adoption. Introduced by Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman, The Adoption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill will allow same-sex couples, singles and people undergoing fertility treatment to adopt under the new eligibility criteria. ALHR LGBTI Rights Subcommittee … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling on the Turnbull Government to accept an offer from the New Zealand Government to resettle refugees from Nauru and Manus Island and urges Members of Parliament to reject radical proposed legislation that would prevent irregular maritime arrivals – including recognised refugees – taken to a regional processing … Read More >>

The inaugural ALHR National Human Rights Conference will be held on the 17th and 18th February 2017 at the La Trobe University City Campus in Melbourne. We are very excited to announce that registrations are now open! Please see below for further details about the conference and how to register. We look forward to seeing you all there, and having your important contributions to Australia’s practice … Read More >>

President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), Benedict Coyne, will meet this week with Mr Michael Forst, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, to discuss possible violations of the rights of local defenders of human rights. Mr Forst is currently on an official visit to … Read More >>

The Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) LGBTI Rights Subcommittee has joined over 80 organisations and leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities in signing onto a joint statement calling for a parliamentary vote on marriage equality. The High Court has unanimously stated that marriage equality is permitted under the Australian … Read More >>

ALHR extends it warmest congratulations to Natalie Wade, Chair of our Disability Rights Subcommittee, on being named the Law Council’s 2016 Young Lawyer of the Year. We are extremely fortunate to have Natalie leading ALHR’s advocacy on disability rights and being an integral part of our National Committee. Congratulations Natalie! Read the Law Council’s press … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds AHRC President Gillian Triggs’ recent call to reignite the dialogue about a federal Bill of Rights for Australia. Australia remains alone among western liberal democracies and common law legal systems as bereft of a national bill of rights. ALHR President Benedict Coyne said, “The Parliament of Australia is … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) are gravely concerned about the operation of Queensland’s Jury Act after the High Court dismissed the appeal in Lyons v Queensland, upholding that the exclusion of deaf person, Gayle Lyons from performing jury duty is not direct or indirect discrimination under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). Benedict Coyne, President … Read More >>

On Monday 8 August 2016 the La Trobe Law School welcomed the Disability Rights Chair of the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, Natalie Wade, to present a seminar to students on prisoners with disability and the criminal justice system. Natalie Wade is a lawyer in Adelaide. She has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor Commerce … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has spoken out in support of statements made by the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement following news of the tragic death on Monday morning. Dr Amy Maguire, Co-Chair of ALHR’s Indigenous Rights subcommittee said, “ALHR is deeply saddened to hear of the death of a 29-year-old Indigenous inmate following an … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has urged the Tasmanian Parliament to reject changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas) (the Act) as set out in the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 (“2016), which was tabled in the lower house of the Tasmanian Parliament on 20 September 2016. The proposed changes would see a new exemption … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes a West Australian bill intended to reduce the number of Indigenous people being imprisoned for failure to pay fines. The Sentencing Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 proposes to give Western Australian criminal courts wider discretion in sentencing low-level offences. In particular it aims to divert first-time offenders away from incarceration … Read More >>

ALHR has written to the Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, congratulating her Government on its decision to introduce legislation that will see 17-year-olds removed from the State’s adult prisons within a year. ALHR has long campaigned for the Queensland government to act to address this violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and recently stepped … Read More >>

ALHR is pleased to announce the launch of our new national LGBTI Rights Subcommittee The LGBTI community in Australia continues to face varied challenges, from verbal harassment to forced medical intervention or the inability to access affordable medical care. Elsewhere, in places like the Middle East, Russia, Africa and Asia the LGBTI community is habitually subject to severe human rights abuses … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply disappointed that the recent release of the Nauru files – detailing assaults, sexual abuse, child abuse, self-harm attempts and dire living conditions – has not triggered major policy change by the Australian Government. Some 2,000 people remain trapped on Nauru and Manus Island. More than 1,400 of … Read More >>

Benedict Coyne, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights has published an Op-Ed on the Australian Lawyers Alliance website looking at the human rights issues surrounding abortion decriminalisation in Queensland. READ THE OP-ED HERE

In the wake of images of a teenage prisoner being punished with a spit mask over his head at a Brisbane Jail, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling on the Queensland Government to urgently increase the age of a child under the Juvenile Justice Act 1992 from 17 years to 18 years old … Read More >>

The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre has reported on the growing momentum in Australia for a National Action Plan and points to the high level of support for the Joint Civil Society Statement released by the Australian Human Rights Commission earlier this month. ALHR was one of many organisations who formally endorsed the Statement. … Read More >>

Lawyers Weekly reports on ALHR’s participation in a coalition of civil society groups calling on the government to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in Australia. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, require businesses to respect human rights and governments … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed its strong support for the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW. Benedict Coyne, ALHR President said, “Failure to provide safe, legal and accessible abortion services is a violation of fundamental human rights. ALHR supports the decriminalisation of abortion and the creation of exclusion zones surrounding abortion clinics as … Read More >>

Image Credit: nationalunitygovernment.org Protesters in central Geraldton behind a row of crosses representing deaths in custody. NSW has recorded its first Indigenous death in police cell custody for 16 years. On 19 July 2016, Ms. Rebecca Maher, a 36-year-old Wiradjuri woman and mother of four, was detained for apparent intoxication and placed in a holding cell at … Read More >>

ALHR’s BHR Sub-Committee has had a busy first year. Amy Sinclair and the BHR team have participated in the OHCHR’s Corporate Accountability and Remedy Project and maintained concerted advocacy efforts calling for a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Read our attached report for further details of the BHR Sub-Committee’s activities.

Chair of ALHR’s Business and Human Rights Sub-Committee, Amy Sinclair, writing in the Guardian on the need for government action to implement the UN Guiding Principles in Australia. Read the Guardian article here.

A coalition of leading civil society groups, including Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), has released a Joint Statement recommending actions for the Australian Government to implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Guiding Principles were unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 and represent the global … Read More >>

ALHR is supporting the Australian premieres of the groundbreaking documentary Hard To Believe Hard to Believe is a documentary that examines the issue of forced live organ harvesting from Chinese prisoners of conscience, and the response—or lack of it—around the world. Produced by Swoop Films, two-time Emmy Award-winning director/producer, Ken Stone, and Irene Silber. The first screenings took place in Sydney … Read More >>

Join Australian Lawyers for Human Rights at NSW Parliament House for a special event on abortion law reform in NSW hosted by Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC. A range of speakers will discuss the different political, policy, legal and medical perspectives on abortion law reform in NSW including Mehreen Faruqi MLC and Penny Sharpe MLC who will … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights is calling on the Australian Government to strengthen its regional position on the death penalty. A little over a year after the executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, 4 people condemned to death for drug offences have been executed by an Indonesian firing squad overnight. A further 10 prisoners … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urging him to ensure that the terms of reference for any Royal Commission into the abuse of child detainees include a broader inquiry into the youth justice systems in all Australian jurisdictions. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “Deep systemic failures exist … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is currently searching for a new Chair for our National Indigenous Rights Subcommittee. Given the ongoing historic and egregious nature of human rights violations of indigenous people in Australia, from indefinite detention or over-representation to Closing the Gap, this area is a very important strategic focus of ALHR’s work. When critical issues of … Read More >>

10 Changes that ALHR would like to see with respect to the Australian Government’s policies towards asylum seekers and refugees End offshore processing and stop boat turnbacks. End the detention of children and families. Ensure timely access to durable solutions for recognised refugees. This includes resettlement — preferably in Australia or in a country which … Read More >>

ALHR is pleased to announce the launch of our new national Women and Girls’ Rights Subcommittee Women comprise half the world’s population, but are the large majority of the world’s poor, illiterate, and displaced. Globally, women make up only 22% of national parliaments. Women do approximately 66% of the world’s work in return for less than 10% … Read More >>

You are invited to attend a special fundraising screening of the film Chasing Asylum by Academy award winning director Eva Orner. Chasing Asylum exposes the real impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies and explores how ‘The Lucky Country’ became a country where leaders choose detention over compassion and governments deprive the desperate of their basic … Read More >>

ALHR has transitioned to a new paid membership scheme. To fully realise our goals and provide a high quality service to members we need to increase our resources. Paid membership enables ALHR to continually grow its capacity to assist the victims of human rights violations in Australia and support lawyers in the practice of human rights law. … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to support the Australian Premieres of the groundbreaking documentary Hard To Believe in Sydney on the evenings of the 3rd and 4th of August 2016. Hard to Believe is a documentary that examines the issue of forced live organ harvesting from Chinese prisoners of conscience, and the response—or lack of it—around the world. Produced by Swoop Films, two-time … Read More >>

Natalie Wade, the Chair of ALHR’s National Disability Rights Subcommittee has written an article for the Australian lawyers Alliance on the rights of deaf jurors. The denial of a deaf person’s right to exercise their citizenship by participating in juries in Australian courts is longstanding. The stereotyped perceptions against deaf jurors being able to perform … Read More >>

Leading Lawyers Commend Committee’s Call for Queensland Human Rights Act Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds the recommendation by the Parliament’s Human Rights Inquiry that a Human Rights Act be legislated by the Queensland government but is concerned that the model recommended would not create any legally enforceable rights. ALHR President, Benedict Coyne said, … Read More >>

A landmark study into the rights of Australia’s children has found state and federal governments have repeatedly breached the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child over the past 25 years. The Child Rights Progress Report has been prepared by the Australian Child Rights Taskforce, Australia’s peak child rights network, made up of more … Read More >>

ALHR has written to the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister, Attorney-General, members of the shadow ministry and the Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner outlining concerns proposed presumptions against bail to be introduced with the Northern Territory Bail Amendment Bill 2016. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “The proposed Bill will establish a regime that is not only costly and … Read More >>

Edmund Simpson, currently in his penultimate year of a Bachelor of Laws (graduate entry) at La Trobe Law School has written about his experience volunteering for ALHR. Edmund was amongst thirteen La Trobe students who, under the guidance of ALHR’s Secretariat, Ms Randa Rafiq and Nicole Shackleton (La Trobe Volunteer Coordinator) undertook a voluntary placement with ALHR in … Read More >>

One of Australia’s leading human rights organisations has spoken out in support of the retention of a mural in Darwin’s CBD that depicts the West Papuan “Morning Star” flag. The “Morning Star” flag is a defining symbol of the West Papuan independence movement, which calls for West Papuan independence from Indonesia. Benedict Coyne President of … Read More >>

ALHR fears proposed legislation removing the presumption of bail for some juvenile offenders in the Northern Territory threatens to breach Australia’s international human rights obligations. The NT Chief Minister has stated that his government intends to introduce legislation that would see a presumption against bail for juveniles accused of repeat property offences. Australian lawyers for … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) today put its support behind an unprecedented national ‘Legal Aid Matters’ campaign aimed at ensuring the next Federal Government responds decisively to Australia’s legal aid funding crisis. Vice President Kerry Weste said that “with rallies and events occurring in major cities in this National Law Week, the Legal Aid Matters … Read More >>

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) supports the decriminalisation of abortion. Access to safe, legal and affordable abortion services is a personal health matter as well as a matter of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights,” said Queensland Co-Convenor, Kate Marchesi. “Women who seek abortions should not be treated as criminals and the majority of … Read More >>

On Thursday, 5 May 2016, the Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report for the inquiry into Australia’s Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. The report examined Australia’s current engagement to end the death penalty, and how it could advocate further. “Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcomes the Joint Standing … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is currently searching for a new Chair/ Coordinator for our vibrant, effective and dedicated National Refugee Rights Subcommittee. Given the egregious nature of human rights violations in relation to people seeking asylum in Australia, this area is a critical focus of ALHR’s work. Over the past two years the … Read More >>

THIS EVENT HAS NOW SOLD OUT ALHR invites you to join us for an expert panel discussion seeking to examine the case for a royal commission to investigate the practices of successive Australian Governments in relation to the mandatory and prolonged detention of asylum seekers. We are delighted to host our highly esteemed panelists: Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian … Read More >>

ALHR joins calls for the Australian Human Rights Commission to appoint a full time disability discrimination commissioner after the resignation of Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson. It is also timely that Commissioner Susan Ryan AO finishes her term in July this year. The disability discrimination portfolio was added to her existing workload in the Ageing … Read More >>

ALHR media release following today’s High Court decision. “The fact that a majority of the High Court has found that Australia’s Constitution authorises the federal government to act in a manner which completely disregards the human rights of refugees arriving by sea again highlights the urgent need for an Australian Charter or Bill of Rights” … Read More >>

You can transfer your existing ALHR membership across to paid membership in just a few minutes by following these simple steps: 1. Log onto the ALHR website with your email address and password here 2. Select the “subscriptions – Renew/Upgrade Membership” tab at the top of the ALHR website pages and chose your class of membership. 3. Proceed to payment. Once … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights has identified deficiencies in the inquiry which the Commonwealth Attorney-General has set the Australian Law Reform Commission in relation to ‘traditional rights, freedoms and privileges’. Members of ALHR are together formulating ALHR’s submission, and have identified various problems with the TOR which are fully explained in a paper by Dr Tamsin Clarke which … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds the Government’s commitment today to introduce a modern slavery bill to Parliament by mid-2018. Speaking to stakeholders at a seminar in Canberra, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Alex Hawke said that, “2018 will be a landmark year in acting on modern slavery” and explained the Government aims to … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) calls for immediate steps to be taken to end the torture, violence and abuse against prisoners with disabilities following the release of the report by Human Rights Watch: I Needed Help, Instead I was Punished: Abuse and Neglect of Prisoners with Disabilities in Australia. “The report is very powerful … Read More >>

Leading human rights experts say measures will severely restrict freedom of speech and political communication. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed the the provisions of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 and the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017. ALHR is concerned that the Bills far exceed their … Read More >>

ALHR’s has made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Inquiry into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 ALHR has also made concurrent submission on the separate but related Parliamentary Joint Committee on Security and Intelligence Review of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017 Together, the Bills represent a … Read More >>

ALHR’s has made a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Security and Intelligence Review of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017 ALHR has also made concurrent submission on the separate but related Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 which is also the subject of an Inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Department of Home Affairs Discussion Paper: Managing Australia’s Migrant Intake ALHR recognises the importance of a well-managed Migration Program and the social and economic benefits that migration brings to Australia. While economic and social benefits are important considerations, Australia’s interests would also benefit from innovative and inclusive approaches to … Read More >>

In June 2017 the Federal Government commissioned an Independent Review of Australia’s primary complaints body for dealing with corporate human rights abuses, the OECD Australian National Contact Point (ANCP). Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Final Report of the Independent Review published in December 2017. The ANCP, currently housed in The Treasury, was … Read More >>

During last year’s Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia, the Government outlined a proposal to require large corporations operating in Australia to publish annual statements outlining their actions to address modern slavery throughout their business and supply chains. The Walk Free Foundation has estimated there are up to 40.3 million victims of … Read More >>

Leading human rights lawyers have called on politicians and the media to refrain from xenophobic stereotyping, scapegoating and racist remarks in wake of statements about Victorian youth crime Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the continued attack by certain members of the Federal Government on Victoria’s African communities who are being vilified by the … Read More >>

The 2017 Human Rights Report Card from Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has found Australia continues to significantly lag in key areas such as indigenous rights, disability rights, freedoms and LGBTI rights. Further, many states and territories also performed poorly in their approach to human rights. “As a nation, we can’t seem to move … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) by the Australian government last Friday 15 December 2017. OPCAT is an international agreement which aims to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has called on the ACT Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to an absolute minimum of 12 years of age. An 11-year-old girl recently appeared in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Children’s Court charged with offences relating to alleged violence against her carers. Due … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), has expressed dismay at the Northern Territory (NT) Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw’s intention to send the Territory Response Group (TRG), a unit of camouflaged, specialised police with military-grade weapons, to target children in Darwin and Alice Springs at night. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “We are astonished that … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is concerned about the potential implications of the new expanded police powers under the Crimes (Police Powers and Firearms Offence) Amendment Bill 2017 which recently passed in the Australian Capital Territory. The Act has created a new offence of “drive by shootings” and will expand police powers by allowing … Read More >>

By ALHR Refugee Rights Subcommittee Co-Chairs Khanh Hoang and Rebecca Dowd and Sahar Okhovat and Asher Hirsch, Refugee Council of Australia Abstract Family reunion remains a significant issue for refugee communities in Australia. Family separation causes significant psychological, social and economic harm to displaced communities. Instead of supporting the reunion of refugee families, the current law … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) have expressed serious concerns about Michaelia Cash, the Federal Minister for Women’s, decision to cross the floor to vote in favour of a November 16th motion by Australian Conservatives Senator Mr Cory Bernadi. The motion was designed to criticise White Ribbon, an organisation dedicated to reducing violence against women, … Read More >>

Next week in Geneva, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will assess Australia’s compliance with the CERD. The NGO coalition report to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (the CERD Committee) examines Australia’s compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned the serious ongoing violations of the human rights of girls held in detention in the Northern Territory confirmed by the findings of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children. Anna Kerr, Co-chair of ALHR’s Women and Girls’ Rights Committee said, “The Commission’s report documents … Read More >>

Australia is the only Western liberal democracy without a bill of rights or federal charter of rights. Leading human rights lawyers are saying that the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday of an inquiry into freedom of religion in Australia and the current debate around religious freedoms in any marriage equality bill highlights very clearly our urgent … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers say shocking findings of NT Royal Commission should motivate Australia to strengthen international protections for Aussie kids. At a time when the protection of Australian children’s rights has never been more important the Turnbull Government is being called upon to sign a United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to be one of nearly 100 organisations to have joined Change the Record to call for immediate national action so we never see abuse again. https://changetherecord.org.au/blog/news/100-organisations-call-for-national-action-on-youth-justice We are horrified by the abuses and torture of children in detention in the Northern Territory, highlighted throughout the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed concern over the recent death of a man after a taser was used on him by ACT police officers. In some Australian states, due to their high volatility and danger, the use of tasers by police is restricted special operations groups. Despite the incident, the ACT Police … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has written to congratulate members of the Federal Parliament for committing to allow a historic victory for equality and human rights in the LGBTI community. Australians have voted “yes” in overwhelming numbers and we look forward to the passage of legislation ensuring marriage equality. We applaud the inclusive language … Read More >>

ALHR open letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bill Shorten 15th November 2017 Dear Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, How will history view today? On this historic day for marriage equality in Australia, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) warmly congratulates you both for … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seriously concerned about the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. To help Australians understand what is happening to the Rohinya population in Myanmar, ALHR has conducted a legal analysis applying International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Criminal Law (ICL) to the conduct perpetrated by the Myanmar security forces. ALHR’s … Read More >>

The Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed a secretive New South Wales Police program which disproportionately targets young people, particularly Aboriginal youth, for pre-emptive policing. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “The Suspect Target Management Plan enables any NSW police officer to place people, including minors, who have never been convicted of an … Read More >>

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s decision to rule out an Indigenous ‘Voice to Parliament’, (as proposed in the Referendum Council’s “Uluru Statement from the Heart”) as “not desirable”, is erroneous and misconceived, says Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Benedict Coyne. ALHR calls on the government to reconsider this misguided position and instead embrace the … Read More >>

As the voting period on Marriage Equality comes to an end, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) are seeking to remind the Australian community of the human rights reasons to vote ‘yes’ before the cut off time of 6pm on 7 November 2017. ALHR LGBTI subcommittee co-chair, Nicholas Stewart said, “At present LGBTI couples do … Read More >>

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly opposes proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Migration Act, which have the potential to further trample the human rights of innocent people in Australian immigration detention, thereby amplifying and aggravating their existing traumas” says ALHR President Benedict Coyne. “The amendments would allow dog searches, strip searches and warrantless searches, … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed a Victorian Magistrates Court decision this week which confirmed the lawfulness of safe access zones around reproductive health clinics in Victoria and saw the first conviction of an anti-abortion protestor under the legislation. These important legislative measures make it unlawful to harass and intimidate people or to … Read More >>

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has stated its opposition to proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Criminal Code* which create an offence for conduct which could be taken as implying that the person represents either a real or fictitious Commonwealth body. Such conduct is punishable with up to five (5) years imprisonment where there is … Read More >>

Photo Credit: A chairs used to restrain an autistic child at a NSW school. Picture: 7.30/ABCSource:ABC Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is alarmed at a recent report of the restraint of a seven-year-old autistic boy in his classroom in NSW. ALHR is outraged at the use of restrictive practices against children with disabilities in schools, … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) renews its call for a Commonwealth Human Rights Act amid fears the Australian Government is once more abandoning vital principles that form the bedrock of our criminal justice system in knee-jerk anti-terror proposals – this time involving extended incarceration without charge, a database of biometric facial recognition of all … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) supports those submissions to the NSW Parliamentary Committee on Children and Young People’s current Inquiry into the prevention of youth suicide which call for improvements to the care of LGBTI students and for improvements to school anti-bullying and teaching programmes. “It is extremely disturbing,” say LGBTI Committee Co-Chairs Nicholas … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is extremely saddened by the recent death of a man on Manus Island. Scott Cosgriff, co-chair of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee said, “This is the ninth death since offshore processing began in August 2012 and the second on Manus in only the last two months.” “This tragedy, like those … Read More >>

ALHR would like to share with you some human rights-based responses to some of the main arguments being put forward by the ‘no’ campaign. It is not true that: ‘LGBTI couples already have the same legal rights as married couples in Australia’ Check out the following resources for an explanation of some of … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is pleased to announce the success of its event, ‘Human Rights in Western Australia – An ALHR Panel Discussion’, held in Perth on the evening of Thursday 14 September 2017. ALHR was joined by esteemed panellists Chris Evans, CEO of Walk Free Foundation, Catherine Eagle, Principal Solicitor of Welfare … Read More >>

What to do if you have not received your marriage equality voting form? It’s not too late! Please share with your family and friends so that everyone can be a voter. Here’s what you can do if: · You have not received your form · You have lost your form · Your form has been damaged … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to be amongst a coalition of non-government organisations (NGOs) from across Australia who have contributed to this report to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee (the Committee). The report examines Australia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The report is intended to inform the Committee’s sixth review … Read More >>

Please join ALHR and our esteemed panelists for an inspiring and informative evening of discussion on the human right to housing. Every person is entitled to adequate access to a safe and secure place to live. This is enshrined in international human rights law yet in Australia we are seeing the number of people who find … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has joined a number of prominent international non-governmental organisations in calling on the Supreme Court of the Maldives to rescind the indefinite suspension of 56 lawyers who signed a joint petition raising concerns over the conduct of the judiciary and calling for judicial reforms and independence. Following receipt of … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into Human Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant Tourism. The Inquiry is seeking to examine whether Australia’s federal criminal laws should extend to conduct that occurs overseas, and whether Australia … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) commends the ACT Government for becoming the first Australian state or territory to gazette Reconciliation Day as a public holiday. The inaugural holiday will be held on 28 May 2018 at the start of National Reconciliation Week and will replace Family and Community Day in the Territory. ALHR ACT … Read More >>

On August 18, 2017 ALHR’s Business & Human Rights Subcommittee made a submission to the Treasury’s independent Review of the OECD Australian National Contact Point (ANCP), which currently sits within Treasury. The ANCP was established in 2001 under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the Guidelines). It is one of the most important mechanisms available in … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling for all 32 recommendations from the report by the Standing Committee on Health, Ageing and Community Services to be immediately applied across all organisations in the Australian Capital Territory to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities to employment. ALHR supports all the recommendations including a standalone … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Inquiry into the incarceration rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. On 17th July the ALRC released a Discussion Paper, Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (DP 84), and issued a call for comments and feedback on its questions and law reform proposals. … Read More >>

On 5 September 2017 ALHR sent the below open letter to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton regarding remarks made whilst on-air with 2GB Radio broadcaster Alan Jones on 28 August 2017. We also sent a copy of our letter to the Prime Minister. Dear Minister Dutton, Disparaging Remarks about Lawyers and the Constitution We write … Read More >>

ALHR member volunteers required for a Public Consultation Submission ALHR continues to advocate for the enactment of a Modern Slavery Act in Australia with a view to abolishing modern slavery in all its forms in the domestic and global supply chains of companies operating in Australia. In February 2017 the Australian Government announced an Inquiry … Read More >>

ALHR invites you to join us for an evening of film, music and spoken word, bringing the community together to raise awareness and inspire conversations about the rights of asylum seekers and refugees in Australia. At a time when the Australian law and policies are having prejudicial impact on the rights of people seeking asylum, … Read More >>

ALHR is pleased to support the Australian Premiere of the groundbreaking documentary Hope Road in Canberra on the evening of 13 September 2017. An inspiring documentary Hope Road, made by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Tom Zubrycki is having a cinema screening in Canberra – after successful screenings at Sydney and Melbourne film festivals. Hope Road is the story of Zacharia, a refugee from the Sudanese civil war, who desperately … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Attorney General on the Exposure Draft of the Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill 2017—Public Consultation on Cross-examination Amendment Reform of family law is urgent as the human rights of women and children are being routinely infringed and access to justice is a particular … Read More >>

ALHR made a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission on the Australian Government’s implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). On 9 February 2017, the Australian Government announced that it intends to ratify the OPCAT by December 2017 and ALHR welcomed … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has spoken out in support of NSW Law Society President Pauline Wright and expressed its disappointment at criticisms levelled at her following a joint statement in support of marriage equality made by the Law Society of NSW, the NSW Bar Association and the NSW branch of the Australian Medical … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemn Peter Dutton’s attack on our legal system and his attempt to redefine what Australians really stand for. The Minister’s total disregard for each and every person’s right to have legal representation, not just in Australia, but around the world, is extremely worrying. President of ALHR, Benedict Coyne said, “In … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) expresses profound concern for asylum seekers and refugees who will reportedly have their welfare and income support cut off and be told to leave Australia under new measures effective today. The policy affects people who sought asylum in Australia but were sent to Manus Island and Nauru and, who … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly today declaring the ACT Government’s willingness to settle refugees from Manus Island and Nauru. The motion acknowledges that refugees in offshore processing centres have been subjected to violent attacks, sexual violence, inadequate medical care, and harassment. It requests the Federal Government … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Crimes (Intimate Image Abuse) Amendment Bill 2017 (ACT) which now makes it illegal to share an intimate photo without consent. The Crimes (Intimate Image Abuse) Amendment Bill 2017 (ACT) makes it a crime to publish, or threaten to publish, intimate photos and images. The punishment is up … Read More >>

There is no time like the present to correct a national history of exclusion and discrimination. Although ALHR strongly believes that the postal poll is flawed, if the High Court does not rule it unconstitutional, we urge Australians to still vote and vote yes! How 1. If you are reading this before Thursday 24 August, please check … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into Human Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant Tourism. Read our Media Release Here This Inquiry seeks to examine how the Australian legal system deters organ trafficking and what more can be done to prevent this offence from occurring … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly urges the Tasmanian Parliament to reject the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016, which ALHR understands is to be debated in the Tasmanian Legislative Council today The Bill proposes to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 to remove legal protections against discrimination and speech which incites hatred and ridicule for religious … Read More >>

Please join Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) for an inspiring evening of discussion and reflection about the state of human rights protections in Western Australia. We will be joined by esteemed panelists Hon Chris Evans, Catherine Eagle and John Southalan About Our Panelists Hon Chris Evans is CEO of the Global Freedom Network, an organisation … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) condemns the Australian Government’s decision to invite voluntary postal views from some Australian voters on the human rights issue of marriage equality. “We support the current constitutional challenge to the funding of this divisive and ridiculous proposal which will not produce a statistically meaningful outcome and is, unhappily, likely … Read More >>

The NSW Government’s recently-passed legislation regarding public safety on Sydney Crown land, in an attempt to dismantle the homeless camp in Martin Place, is Orwellian, retrograde, and a blatant abuse of human rights, according to Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. “Homelessness is not a lifestyle choice,” said Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Vice President Kerry … Read More >>

ALHR has written to members of the Senate cross bench urging them to consider voting outright against the passage of the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (Cth) (the Bill). The Australian Government is seeking to make substantial changes to the requirements for the acquisition of … Read More >>

In a further blow to the Turnbull Government’s position against a free vote on marriage equality, a damning decision of the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) highlights further injustices caused by Australia’s policy on marriage between same-sex attracted people. The decision found in favour of an Australian woman, Dr Fiona Kumari Campell, who was married … Read More >>

Leading Australian human rights lawyers have welcomed a landmark UK Supreme Court judgement handed down last Wednesday, arguing the decision sets an important precedent for Australian courts in relation to the need to ensure access to justice and equality before the law. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Women and Girls’ Rights Subcommittee Co-Chair Anna Kerr … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seeking expressions of interest from experienced lawyers to Co-Chair our National Disability Rights Subcommittee The successful applicant for the role will be a lawyer or legal academic with expert knowledge of and passion for disability rights law. Applicants with a lived experience of disability are strongly encouraged to … Read More >>

ALHR commends the SA Mental Health Commission for undertaking this review and for recognising a number of key themes related to the mental well-being of individuals with mental illness, including reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and promoting tailored responses for those experiencing mental illness. However, it is the view of the ALHR that … Read More >>

In May ALHR welcomed the opportunity to make a submission in relation to the development of a new SA Mental Health Strategic Plan. ALHR has called for the SA Mental Health Strategic Plan to be consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), by reviewing the Mental Health Act 2009 … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has added its voice to calls for the New South Wales Government to increase victims of crime compensation, describing current levels of compensation as “completely inadequate” following significant cuts to the scheme made in 2013. ALHR says victims of gendered crimes such as child abuse, sexual assault and domestic … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seriously concerned about reports of alleged breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL) by members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) operating in Afghanistan. ALHR International Humanitarian Law spokesperson, Hector Sharp said, “the reports published yesterday by the ABC are deeply shocking. Allegations that reckless and negligent behavior of … Read More >>

A leading national human rights organisation has welcomed a new Aboriginal Justice Agreement for the Northern Territory. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) Vice President Kerry Weste said, “The NT’s Aboriginal incarceration rate is a crisis of devastating proportions. Around 90 per cent of the Territory’s prisoner population are Indigenous and the human rights impacts … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seeking expressions of interest from lawyers to take up roles as Co-Convenors in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. There are three volunteer positions available and the successful applicants will join the existing experienced lawyers currently in post as Convenors. ALHR State/ Territory Convenors are responsible for … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed alarm over concerning allegations of human rights abuses at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre in Canberra. A series of articles published by Fairfax Media, has alleged detainees have been subjected to acts of violence, including guards encouraging children to settle disputes by way of violence, drug overdoses and … Read More >>

Media release For release on Thursday 29 June 2017 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Attorney-General’s re-release of the unredacted final Report of the Queensland Youth Justice Review. ALHR says the report clearly reinforces the urgent need for the Palaszczuk government to stay good on its promise to pass a Queensland Human Rights … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the High Court of Australia’s decision to grant special leave to Garry Burns to appeal a NSW Court of Appeal decision that the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has no power to determine anti-discrimination matters between residents of different States. The Court of Appeal was asked whether … Read More >>

Executive Summary We are very pleased, honoured and excited to provide our first ALHR annual President and Vice President’s Report. We were both incredibly fortunate to take up our positions following a stellar two years of growth for ALHR under the brilliant leadership of Nathan Kennedy. During our first year in these roles we have also been … Read More >>

Abandoning rule of law does not make us safer Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is alarmed that the New South Wales Government has today rushed through the parliament knee-jerk anti-terror proposals. ALHR fears the Berejiklian Government is abandoning vital principles that form the bedrock of our criminal justice system with virtually no opportunity for … Read More >>

Photo Credit: As published by ALJAZEERA: screen grab from footage shot by Kurdistan24 shows what looks to be the use of white phosphorus in Iraq (YouTube) Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has raised serious concerns about the use of White Phosphorus in Mosul, Iraq by the Combined Joint Force operating against ISIS, of which … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) believes there are substantial risks involved with this weeks fast-tracked changes to the complex law governing Australia’s traditional owners’ native title rights, the Native Title Act (NTA) and calls for further consultation before the Senate votes later today. Further consultation is required to examine how the Native Title Amendment … Read More >>

In an initiative led by Women’s Legal Service NSW, ALHR along with 87 other organisations has signed an open letter to Minister Kean and Minister Goward, urging the NSW Government to expand the evidence victims of domestic violence will be able to rely on to end their tenancy immediately without penalty. As the Women’s Legal … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) fears the Australian Government is abandoning vital principles that form the bedrock of our criminal justice system in knee-jerk anti-terror proposals regarding bail and parole. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “We are concerned that the Prime Minister’s hasty proposal to create presumptions against bail and parole for people … Read More >>

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has commenced an inquiry into whether Australia should adopt national legislation to combat modern slavery, comparable to the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015. ALHR made a detailed submission to the Inquiry supporting the implementation of a … Read More >>

On 12th May ALHR made submission to the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism. The committee is to inquire into and report on ways of protecting and strengthening Australia’s multiculturalism and social inclusion. The protection, promotion and strengthening of Australia’s multiculturalism and policies of social inclusion are integral to Australia’s progress and its stable democratic nature. All marginalised … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned at the Turnbull Government’s October 1 deadline for 7,500 asylum seekers to lodge applications for protection or face possible deportation and cuts to their welfare. These measures affect the Legacy Caseload: asylum seekers who arrived in Australia by boat between August 2012 and December 2013, who … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), The University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney invite you to join us for an evening in conversation with Dr Sima Samar, Chair of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), discussing the AIHRC’s work addressing women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. The situation for women and … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has lamented the 2017 Federal Budget as a missed opportunity for Australia to show leadership in enhancing refugee protection in the Asia Pacific region. Khahn Hoang, Co-Chair of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee said, “ALHR welcomes the announcement of an increase in Australia’s refugee and humanitarian intake from 13,750 to … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) congratulates the Queensland Attorney General for her proposal to introduce a bill to expunge historical homosexual convictions in Queensland Parliament today. “This Bill appropriately enshrines human rights in Queensland,” says ALHR’s LGBTI Committee Co-Chair, Kathryn Cramp. “There is no place for historical criminal records that propagate the myth that … Read More >>

On 17 May 2017 we celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) – an important day for same-sex- attracted, intersex and gender diverse youth. ALHR’s LGBTI Subcommittee Co-Chairs Nicholas Stewart and Kathryn Cramp have written to members of the NSW Parliament urging them to come out publicly in support of IDAHOT and make … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed its strong support for decriminalisation of abortion in NSW. Co-Chair of ALHR’s Women and Girls’ Rights Subcommittee, Rita Shackel, said the failure to provide safe, legal and accessible abortion services is a violation of fundamental human rights and that exclusion zones surrounding abortion clinics need to be … Read More >>

About the Role Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seeking expressions of interest from experienced lawyers to Co-Chair our National Business and Human Rights Subcommittee (BHR Subcommittee). The two Co-Chairs will be responsible for leading ALHR’s work in the business and human rights space at a national and international level. The successful applicants will … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has spoken out against the Tasmanian Government’s proposal to introduce mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offences against minors. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR is strongly opposed to mandatory minimum prison terms on the basis that they impose unacceptable restrictions on judicial discretion and independence, and … Read More >>

The 5th of May marks the fourth anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR). Sixteen leading civil societies organisations, have written to the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and the Attorney General Senator George Brandis calling on the Australian government to celebrate … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to have contributed to and endorsed the attached Australian NGO report for the 2017 review under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The submission has been prepared by the National Association of Community Legal Centres and Kingsford Legal Centre, with contributions from a number of NGOs across Australia and … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that it will reinstate funding previously cut from the Australian Community Legal Centre sector (the CLC sector) in the 2017–18 Budget. ALHR has written to the Commonwealth Attorney General thanking him for making this important decision. However, while his office’s press release suggests there … Read More >>

Photo Credit: poppies&sun: http://www.surreyphoto.co.uk/pages/surrey-art-for-sale.php?gall_id=49&page_no=1 OP-ED by Benedict Coyne, President, Australian lawyers for Human Rights The spirit of ANZAC and human rights go hand-in-hand. On this sacred day in our nation’s annual calendar we remember not only Gallipoli but the invocation of courage, mateship, and sacrifice in protecting our fundamental freedoms and way of life, all … Read More >>

Allegations have emerged in international media of the murder, torture and illegal detention of gay men in Chechnya, a republic of Russia, and the arrest of 53 gay men in Nigeria. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed its support for and solidarity with human rights activists making arrangements to evacuate gay men from … Read More >>

On Friday the government released a report by the Senate committee on legal and constitutional affairs, which followed a seven-month inquiry into allegations of abuse on Manus and Nauru sparked by the publication of the Nauru files. ALHR’s submission was quoted extensively throughout the report. The Co-Chairs of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee Rebecca Dowd and … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has urged the Tasmanian Parliament to reject proposed changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (“the Act”) when it is tabled for second reading in the Upper House. ALHR has slammed the proposed changes to the Act, citing deep concerns that the amendments would have widespread negative implications for many … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes recent changes to expand discrimination law in the ACT. The Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 (ACT) expands discrimination law to now include extra grounds on which discrimination is prohibited including where it is based on a person’s accommodation status, employment status, intersex status, status as a victim of family … Read More >>

The ALHR Annual General Meeting will be held on 18 April 2016 at 7:00pm AEST Level 9, 60 Castlereagh Street, Sydney Please e-mail membershipenquiries@alhr.org.au if you intend to attend in person to allow access to the building or if you intend to attend in person in your local State or Territory please contact your local convenor … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has concerns about the federal government’s submission to the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2017. The government has argued that an increase in the minimum wage is an inefficient way to address relative living standards or the needs of the low-paid. The government’s view is misguided and risks … Read More >>

ALHR has written to the new Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan and WA Attorney General John Quigley congratulating them on their very successful election result and offering our support for the introduction of a Western Australian Human Rights Act. Australia remains alone amongst western liberal democracies and common law legal systems as bereft of a constitutional … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed strong support for the creation of exclusion zones surrounding reproductive health services clinics as a way of protecting and promoting the human rights of women accessing essential health services. Like the Abortion Law Reform (Miscellaneous Acts Amendment) Bill 2016 introduced last year by Dr Mehreen Faruqi, the Summary … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is concerned the Queensland government and crossbenchers have rejected the proposal to mandate that victims and their families be notified when perpetrators are granted bail or parole. Such measures, rather than more populist moves like the introduction of presumptions against bail, will more effectively ensure the safety of women … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling for an immediate royal commission into the treatment of people living with disability in taxpayer-funded group homes and disability accommodation as highlighted in last night’s episode of Four Corners. ALHR President Benedict Coyne said, “the episode reinforced the findings of a Senate inquiry released in November 2015 … Read More >>

Human rights lawyers have voiced their grave concerns about the government’s continued relentless push to privatise essential specialist domestic violence services for women by awarding contracts to religious and other for profit agencies. The latest service facing possible closure, is Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia (RDVSA) – a vital service first established by the … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed Coalition MPs’ proposal to strip down Australia’s racial discrimination laws on Harmony Day. “The suggested change to replace the words ‘insult, offend or humiliate’ with ‘harass’ demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of the way racist hate speech works its harm by establishing racist discourse as socially acceptable,” ALHR … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) would like to warmly thank the business chiefs who have shown leadership by standing up for the human rights of LGBTI Australians and voiced their support for marriage equality. The realisation of human rights requires courageous and strong voices from all sections of the community, including the corporate sector. … Read More >>

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s failure to censure US President Donald Trump’s recent policy decisions on refugees and immigration, supporting torture, violating the rights of women and rescinding protections for transgender students – to name just a few – highlight concerning inconsistencies in Australia’s current candidacy for a … Read More >>

On Sunday 5th march ALHR QLD Convenor, Kate Marchesi, spoke on a panel at the annual One Woman Project’s International Women’s Day High Tea in Brisbane. The One Woman Project is a youth-led, registered non-for-profit organisation focused upon education about and advocacy promoting gender equality and the theme of this year’s High Tea was … Read More >>

An exclusive report by news agency, Reuters, that the Australian Government has allegedly increased payments to some asylum seekers on Manus Island to $US25,000 to return home has spread widely with Radio France International calling for an interview with ALHR about what this could mean. You can listen to RFI’s interview with ALHR President, Benedict Coyne, here. … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is profoundly concerned about reports that the Australian Government has brought forward deadlines for asylum seekers who are subject to fast-track refugee status determination. Asylum seekers have been told to lodge their application within 14, 30 or 60 days of receiving a letter or risk losing welfare payments, access … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the recent Senate Select Committee Report on the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill of 15 February 2017 and calls for a free vote on an amended bill. While the bill as originally proposed sought widespread exemptions to antidiscrimination law on the grounds of religion, the Committee report tempers … Read More >>

ALHR has written to the the Hon Susan Kiefel AC to express our congratulations on her appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and to the Hon James Edelman congratulating him on his appointment to the Court. The appointment of the Hon Susan Kiefel AC as Chief Justice is historic by virtue … Read More >>

More than 100 Australian LGBTI groups and leaders, Including ALHR’s LGBTI Subcommittee, have joined together in the wake of the Senate Inquiry Report into the Draft Amendment to the Marriage Act to voice their support for the example set by the committee and to urge the parliament to act on marriage equality for all … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcome today’s announcement by Federal Attorney-General George Brandis and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that Australia will ratify the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). OPCAT is an international agreement which aims to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in detention. The OPCAT was … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to support and sign this open statement calling on our leaders to take responsibility and act to end the uncertainty for people on Manus Island and Nauru. It is time for for a bipartisan approach to evacuate the camps and bring people here to safety. Open statement calling for immediate action on offshore detention We, … Read More >>

On the 50th anniversary of the hanging of Ronald Ryan, the last man executed in Australia, leading human rights lawyers say the Turnbull Government must act to protect Australians from a fate such as that suffered by Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran and their loved ones. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights President Benedict Coyne is today … Read More >>

President Trump’s anti-Muslim immigration ban executive order has had global impact and has shaken awake the democratic world. The executive order may impact Australians’ friends and families. It is the most extreme form of discrimination, injustice, and unfairness and unsurprisingly it is unconstitutional. Many Iraqi and Syrian refugees who have been detained at US immigration … Read More >>

ALHR has written a submission to the NT Attorney-General and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles MLA, on proposed changes to legislation governing termination of pregnancy in the Territory. Access to abortion in the NT is extremely limited and inconsistent with other jurisdictions. The NT government proposes to repeal section 11 of the Medical Services Act, introduce a … Read More >>

Picture Credit: American Civil Liberties Union Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed President Trump’s erroneous and eerie assertion that torture “absolutely…works”. In his first television interview since inauguration, President Trump suggested that Americans should engage in medieval torture because Isis was doing it and “we have to fight fire with fire”. ALHR takes … Read More >>

ALHR believes that it is not appropriate for Australian legislation to retreat from the values and standards required by international law and which have been associated with adequate protection from racial vilification in so many global jurisdictions. We believe that it is not necessary to amend the Racial Discrimination Act but that if any amendment is … Read More >>

ALHR strongly opposes the use of data retained under the mandatory retention scheme for non-criminal and non-security matters involving civil litigation. The mandatory data retention scheme was claimed by the Commonwealth Government to be purely a targeted and proportional response to perceived security threats. The Inquiry is considering the possibility of opening up access to all of the … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) calls on all countries to ensure that lawyers are able to perform their professional obligations without fear of retribution. ALHR has always been saddened by news of lawyers facing consequences such as being silenced, harassed, kidnapped, imprisoned, injured and killed for fulfilling their roles as advocates. 24 January 2017, … Read More >>

At a time when Australians’ human rights have never been more under threat, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) will hold a two-day national conference focused on improving human rights protections in Australia from February 17. The conference will bring together leaders in law, academia, business and community sectors and aims to improve strategic planning … Read More >>

Membership of ALHR provides unique opportunities to advocate for the protection of human rights and enhances your professional development. Paid membership enables ALHR to continually grow its capacity to assist the victims of human rights violations in Australia and support lawyers in the practice of human rights law. If you are new to ALHR simply click here to … Read More >>

The inaugural ALHR National Human Rights Conference will be held on the 17th and 18th February 2017 at the La Trobe University City Campus in Melbourne. We are very excited to announce that registrations are now open! If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate law student scroll down for details of our student op-ed completion which offers the chance to win flights, accomodation and free conference … Read More >>

MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release – 4 January 2017 The current attacks upon past and present pension payment recipients by Centrelink and the Minister for Social Services are “wrong at so many legal levels that it’s hard to know where to begin,”, ALHR President Benedict Coyne said. “At the most basic level, no entity should … Read More >>

ALHR has issued National Report Cards on Australia’s human rights performance for 2016 for all State and Territory Governments as well as for the Federal Government. Over the next two weeks ALHR will issue further subject specific federal report cards on each of ALHR’s areas of strategic focus for 2016. Read on below for a summary … Read More >>

Chair of ALHR’s Business and Human Rights Subcommittee, Amy Sinclair, reflects on the Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, 2016 Last month, I braved the long-haul and flew from Australia to Geneva to experience the Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights. And it is, very much, an experience. Now in its 5th … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned by the shocking Coroner’s findings, released today, regarding the death in custody of a 22 year old Yamatji woman in August 2014. Ms Dhu had been detained in the South Hedland lockup for unpaid fines. ALHR strongly supports WA State Coroner Ros Fogliani’s key recommendations and … Read More >>

The inaugural ALHR National Human Rights Conference will be held on the 17th and 18th February 2017 at the La Trobe University City Campus in Melbourne. We are very excited to announce that registrations are now open! Please see below for further details about the conference and how to register. We look forward to seeing you all there, and having your important contributions to Australia’s practice … Read More >>

ALHR’s Dr Tamsin Clarke, Chair of our Freedoms and Human Rights Act Subcommittees, attended a meeting with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on racism and xenophobia, Mr. Mutuma Ruteere, at the Australian Human Rights Commission in Sydney last week. At the meeting ALHR made detailed oral submissions in relation to multiple concerns regarding racism and … Read More >>

The Australian Government recently announced that it is considering a model for large businesses to publicly report on their actions to address supply chain exploitation. This model could potentially follow that of the UK Modern Slavery Act, introduced in 2015 to address the issue of slavery in supply chains via enhanced corporate transparency. The UK … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) congratulates the South Australian Parliament for enacting four important pieces of legislation that will protect the rights of LGBTI South Australians. Today, in the last sitting week of parliament, the Legislative Council passed the following bills into law: – The Statutes Amendment (Surrogacy Eligibility) Bill 2016 – The Adoption … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is pleased to see Queensland follow New South Wales and Victoria to expunge convictions for homosexuality. In an important step to rectify a history of discrimination, Queensland’s Attorney-General Yvette D’Arth has introduced the draft bill to Parliament. This will affect hundreds of men convicted under Queensland law for consensual … Read More >>

Modern Slavery pollutes global and domestic supply chains and permeates economic activity. It desperately needs addressing to end the exploitation of vulnerable workers, both at home and overseas. Amy Sinclair, Chair of our Business and Human Rights Subcommittee, has been working to address this and ALHR is proud to support business, anti-slavery and religious groups … Read More >>

ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee has been advocating strongly against the Federal Government’s proposed permanent ban on certain refugees ever entering Australia, even on a tourist visa. Under the proposed legislation, persons who arrived in Australia by boat on or after 19 July 2013 and who were over 18 years old at the time they were taken … Read More >>

On 14 November Kahn Hoang and Rebecca Dowd, Co-Chairs of ALHR’s Refugee Rights Subcommittee met with the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants in Sydney along with other NGO organisations. The meeting went for about 75 mins and the Rapporteur took views from all interested parties in in a round-table discussion. ALHR made … Read More >>

Amy Sinclair, Chair of ALHR’s Business and Human Rights Subcommittee has just returned from Geneva where she represented ALHR at the 2016 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights which was held from 14-16 November. The UN Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering on business and human rights with some 2,300 participants from government, business, community … Read More >>

Gravillea section of Barwon prison. Photo: Angela Wylie Andrews Government subjecting children to appalling conditions in maximum security adult prisons Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned for the wellbeing of the children recently transferred to Barwon maximum security adult prison following allegations they have already been subjected to inappropriate treatment and conditions. ALHR … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) believes that all human rights should be protected in Australia at the federal level through the adoption of an Australian Bill of Rights. But until that until that day comes, it is essential for us to support and strengthen the reasonable protections from racial vilification contained in sections 18C … Read More >>

Stand up for protections against race hate speech: still time to make your submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Freedom of Speech Use the Templates under the heading “Attachments” at the bottom of this page by clicking on the relevant Attachment template to download the Word document. Submission closing date has been extended to 23 December 2016 … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has condemned Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to send 40 children to adult jails in Victoria, stating there are no circumstances that justify the placement of children in the adult prison system. We have today written to Premier Andrews urging his government to reconsider this flagrant breach of the Convention … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly supports recommendations submitted by the First Nations Deaths in Custody Watch Committee of Western Australia (Watch Committee) to the 2016 Asia Pacific Coroners’ Society Conference on Friday. David Woodrofe, Co-Chair of ALHR’s Indigenous Rights Subcommittee said, “The Watch Committee has called on State and Territory governments to take … Read More >>

ALHR’s LGBTI Subcommittee, together with 90 other LGBTI organisations and leaders, have today signed a joint statement calling on supporters of marriage equality in the parliament to unite and work together to find a pathway to achieve marriage equality in this term of Parliament. “As organisations and leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply disappointed to see anti Safe Schools commentary at the Tasmanian Liberal Party annual state conference. While Tasmanian Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff supports Safe Schools, the state Liberal conference passed a motion to abolish the program. Opponents to Safe Schools also resorted to using inflammatory language. Federal funding … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly reject the call for a ‘far reaching’ Parliamentary inquiry aimed at ‘scaling back’ s 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. When similar attempts were made to erode protections against hate speech under the Abbott Government, these changes were unequivocally proven to be unpopular with the majority of Australians. … Read More >>

Australian lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) congratulates the Queensland Parliament on passing laws late Thursday night that will see and end to 17-year-old children being sent to adult jails. However, ALHR is also calling on the Queensland Government to act immediately to protect children who are currently serving sentences in adult jails and to address … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is very pleased to hear that Queensland Parliament has passed legislation allowing same sex adoption. Introduced by Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman, The Adoption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill will allow same-sex couples, singles and people undergoing fertility treatment to adopt under the new eligibility criteria. ALHR LGBTI Rights Subcommittee … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling on the Turnbull Government to accept an offer from the New Zealand Government to resettle refugees from Nauru and Manus Island and urges Members of Parliament to reject radical proposed legislation that would prevent irregular maritime arrivals – including recognised refugees – taken to a regional processing … Read More >>

The inaugural ALHR National Human Rights Conference will be held on the 17th and 18th February 2017 at the La Trobe University City Campus in Melbourne. We are very excited to announce that registrations are now open! Please see below for further details about the conference and how to register. We look forward to seeing you all there, and having your important contributions to Australia’s practice … Read More >>

President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), Benedict Coyne, will meet this week with Mr Michael Forst, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, to discuss possible violations of the rights of local defenders of human rights. Mr Forst is currently on an official visit to … Read More >>

The Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) LGBTI Rights Subcommittee has joined over 80 organisations and leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities in signing onto a joint statement calling for a parliamentary vote on marriage equality. The High Court has unanimously stated that marriage equality is permitted under the Australian … Read More >>

ALHR extends it warmest congratulations to Natalie Wade, Chair of our Disability Rights Subcommittee, on being named the Law Council’s 2016 Young Lawyer of the Year. We are extremely fortunate to have Natalie leading ALHR’s advocacy on disability rights and being an integral part of our National Committee. Congratulations Natalie! Read the Law Council’s press … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds AHRC President Gillian Triggs’ recent call to reignite the dialogue about a federal Bill of Rights for Australia. Australia remains alone among western liberal democracies and common law legal systems as bereft of a national bill of rights. ALHR President Benedict Coyne said, “The Parliament of Australia is … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) are gravely concerned about the operation of Queensland’s Jury Act after the High Court dismissed the appeal in Lyons v Queensland, upholding that the exclusion of deaf person, Gayle Lyons from performing jury duty is not direct or indirect discrimination under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). Benedict Coyne, President … Read More >>

On Monday 8 August 2016 the La Trobe Law School welcomed the Disability Rights Chair of the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, Natalie Wade, to present a seminar to students on prisoners with disability and the criminal justice system. Natalie Wade is a lawyer in Adelaide. She has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor Commerce … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has spoken out in support of statements made by the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement following news of the tragic death on Monday morning. Dr Amy Maguire, Co-Chair of ALHR’s Indigenous Rights subcommittee said, “ALHR is deeply saddened to hear of the death of a 29-year-old Indigenous inmate following an … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has urged the Tasmanian Parliament to reject changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas) (the Act) as set out in the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 (“2016), which was tabled in the lower house of the Tasmanian Parliament on 20 September 2016. The proposed changes would see a new exemption … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes a West Australian bill intended to reduce the number of Indigenous people being imprisoned for failure to pay fines. The Sentencing Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 proposes to give Western Australian criminal courts wider discretion in sentencing low-level offences. In particular it aims to divert first-time offenders away from incarceration … Read More >>

ALHR has written to the Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, congratulating her Government on its decision to introduce legislation that will see 17-year-olds removed from the State’s adult prisons within a year. ALHR has long campaigned for the Queensland government to act to address this violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and recently stepped … Read More >>

ALHR is pleased to announce the launch of our new national LGBTI Rights Subcommittee The LGBTI community in Australia continues to face varied challenges, from verbal harassment to forced medical intervention or the inability to access affordable medical care. Elsewhere, in places like the Middle East, Russia, Africa and Asia the LGBTI community is habitually subject to severe human rights abuses … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply disappointed that the recent release of the Nauru files – detailing assaults, sexual abuse, child abuse, self-harm attempts and dire living conditions – has not triggered major policy change by the Australian Government. Some 2,000 people remain trapped on Nauru and Manus Island. More than 1,400 of … Read More >>

Benedict Coyne, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights has published an Op-Ed on the Australian Lawyers Alliance website looking at the human rights issues surrounding abortion decriminalisation in Queensland. READ THE OP-ED HERE

In the wake of images of a teenage prisoner being punished with a spit mask over his head at a Brisbane Jail, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is calling on the Queensland Government to urgently increase the age of a child under the Juvenile Justice Act 1992 from 17 years to 18 years old … Read More >>

The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre has reported on the growing momentum in Australia for a National Action Plan and points to the high level of support for the Joint Civil Society Statement released by the Australian Human Rights Commission earlier this month. ALHR was one of many organisations who formally endorsed the Statement. … Read More >>

Lawyers Weekly reports on ALHR’s participation in a coalition of civil society groups calling on the government to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in Australia. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, require businesses to respect human rights and governments … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed its strong support for the decriminalisation of abortion in NSW. Benedict Coyne, ALHR President said, “Failure to provide safe, legal and accessible abortion services is a violation of fundamental human rights. ALHR supports the decriminalisation of abortion and the creation of exclusion zones surrounding abortion clinics as … Read More >>

Image Credit: nationalunitygovernment.org Protesters in central Geraldton behind a row of crosses representing deaths in custody. NSW has recorded its first Indigenous death in police cell custody for 16 years. On 19 July 2016, Ms. Rebecca Maher, a 36-year-old Wiradjuri woman and mother of four, was detained for apparent intoxication and placed in a holding cell at … Read More >>

ALHR’s BHR Sub-Committee has had a busy first year. Amy Sinclair and the BHR team have participated in the OHCHR’s Corporate Accountability and Remedy Project and maintained concerted advocacy efforts calling for a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Read our attached report for further details of the BHR Sub-Committee’s activities.

Chair of ALHR’s Business and Human Rights Sub-Committee, Amy Sinclair, writing in the Guardian on the need for government action to implement the UN Guiding Principles in Australia. Read the Guardian article here.

A coalition of leading civil society groups, including Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), has released a Joint Statement recommending actions for the Australian Government to implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Guiding Principles were unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 and represent the global … Read More >>

ALHR is supporting the Australian premieres of the groundbreaking documentary Hard To Believe Hard to Believe is a documentary that examines the issue of forced live organ harvesting from Chinese prisoners of conscience, and the response—or lack of it—around the world. Produced by Swoop Films, two-time Emmy Award-winning director/producer, Ken Stone, and Irene Silber. The first screenings took place in Sydney … Read More >>

Join Australian Lawyers for Human Rights at NSW Parliament House for a special event on abortion law reform in NSW hosted by Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC. A range of speakers will discuss the different political, policy, legal and medical perspectives on abortion law reform in NSW including Mehreen Faruqi MLC and Penny Sharpe MLC who will … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights is calling on the Australian Government to strengthen its regional position on the death penalty. A little over a year after the executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, 4 people condemned to death for drug offences have been executed by an Indonesian firing squad overnight. A further 10 prisoners … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urging him to ensure that the terms of reference for any Royal Commission into the abuse of child detainees include a broader inquiry into the youth justice systems in all Australian jurisdictions. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “Deep systemic failures exist … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is currently searching for a new Chair for our National Indigenous Rights Subcommittee. Given the ongoing historic and egregious nature of human rights violations of indigenous people in Australia, from indefinite detention or over-representation to Closing the Gap, this area is a very important strategic focus of ALHR’s work. When critical issues of … Read More >>

10 Changes that ALHR would like to see with respect to the Australian Government’s policies towards asylum seekers and refugees End offshore processing and stop boat turnbacks. End the detention of children and families. Ensure timely access to durable solutions for recognised refugees. This includes resettlement — preferably in Australia or in a country which … Read More >>

ALHR is pleased to announce the launch of our new national Women and Girls’ Rights Subcommittee Women comprise half the world’s population, but are the large majority of the world’s poor, illiterate, and displaced. Globally, women make up only 22% of national parliaments. Women do approximately 66% of the world’s work in return for less than 10% … Read More >>

You are invited to attend a special fundraising screening of the film Chasing Asylum by Academy award winning director Eva Orner. Chasing Asylum exposes the real impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies and explores how ‘The Lucky Country’ became a country where leaders choose detention over compassion and governments deprive the desperate of their basic … Read More >>

ALHR has transitioned to a new paid membership scheme. To fully realise our goals and provide a high quality service to members we need to increase our resources. Paid membership enables ALHR to continually grow its capacity to assist the victims of human rights violations in Australia and support lawyers in the practice of human rights law. … Read More >>

ALHR is proud to support the Australian Premieres of the groundbreaking documentary Hard To Believe in Sydney on the evenings of the 3rd and 4th of August 2016. Hard to Believe is a documentary that examines the issue of forced live organ harvesting from Chinese prisoners of conscience, and the response—or lack of it—around the world. Produced by Swoop Films, two-time … Read More >>

Natalie Wade, the Chair of ALHR’s National Disability Rights Subcommittee has written an article for the Australian lawyers Alliance on the rights of deaf jurors. The denial of a deaf person’s right to exercise their citizenship by participating in juries in Australian courts is longstanding. The stereotyped perceptions against deaf jurors being able to perform … Read More >>

Leading Lawyers Commend Committee’s Call for Queensland Human Rights Act Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds the recommendation by the Parliament’s Human Rights Inquiry that a Human Rights Act be legislated by the Queensland government but is concerned that the model recommended would not create any legally enforceable rights. ALHR President, Benedict Coyne said, … Read More >>

A landmark study into the rights of Australia’s children has found state and federal governments have repeatedly breached the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child over the past 25 years. The Child Rights Progress Report has been prepared by the Australian Child Rights Taskforce, Australia’s peak child rights network, made up of more … Read More >>

ALHR has written to the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister, Attorney-General, members of the shadow ministry and the Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner outlining concerns proposed presumptions against bail to be introduced with the Northern Territory Bail Amendment Bill 2016. ALHR Vice President Kerry Weste said, “The proposed Bill will establish a regime that is not only costly and … Read More >>

Edmund Simpson, currently in his penultimate year of a Bachelor of Laws (graduate entry) at La Trobe Law School has written about his experience volunteering for ALHR. Edmund was amongst thirteen La Trobe students who, under the guidance of ALHR’s Secretariat, Ms Randa Rafiq and Nicole Shackleton (La Trobe Volunteer Coordinator) undertook a voluntary placement with ALHR in … Read More >>

One of Australia’s leading human rights organisations has spoken out in support of the retention of a mural in Darwin’s CBD that depicts the West Papuan “Morning Star” flag. The “Morning Star” flag is a defining symbol of the West Papuan independence movement, which calls for West Papuan independence from Indonesia. Benedict Coyne President of … Read More >>

ALHR fears proposed legislation removing the presumption of bail for some juvenile offenders in the Northern Territory threatens to breach Australia’s international human rights obligations. The NT Chief Minister has stated that his government intends to introduce legislation that would see a presumption against bail for juveniles accused of repeat property offences. Australian lawyers for … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) today put its support behind an unprecedented national ‘Legal Aid Matters’ campaign aimed at ensuring the next Federal Government responds decisively to Australia’s legal aid funding crisis. Vice President Kerry Weste said that “with rallies and events occurring in major cities in this National Law Week, the Legal Aid Matters … Read More >>

“Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) supports the decriminalisation of abortion. Access to safe, legal and affordable abortion services is a personal health matter as well as a matter of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights,” said Queensland Co-Convenor, Kate Marchesi. “Women who seek abortions should not be treated as criminals and the majority of … Read More >>

On Thursday, 5 May 2016, the Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report for the inquiry into Australia’s Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. The report examined Australia’s current engagement to end the death penalty, and how it could advocate further. “Australian Lawyers for Human Rights welcomes the Joint Standing … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is currently searching for a new Chair/ Coordinator for our vibrant, effective and dedicated National Refugee Rights Subcommittee. Given the egregious nature of human rights violations in relation to people seeking asylum in Australia, this area is a critical focus of ALHR’s work. Over the past two years the … Read More >>

THIS EVENT HAS NOW SOLD OUT ALHR invites you to join us for an expert panel discussion seeking to examine the case for a royal commission to investigate the practices of successive Australian Governments in relation to the mandatory and prolonged detention of asylum seekers. We are delighted to host our highly esteemed panelists: Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian … Read More >>

ALHR joins calls for the Australian Human Rights Commission to appoint a full time disability discrimination commissioner after the resignation of Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson. It is also timely that Commissioner Susan Ryan AO finishes her term in July this year. The disability discrimination portfolio was added to her existing workload in the Ageing … Read More >>

ALHR media release following today’s High Court decision. “The fact that a majority of the High Court has found that Australia’s Constitution authorises the federal government to act in a manner which completely disregards the human rights of refugees arriving by sea again highlights the urgent need for an Australian Charter or Bill of Rights” … Read More >>

You can transfer your existing ALHR membership across to paid membership in just a few minutes by following these simple steps: 1. Log onto the ALHR website with your email address and password here 2. Select the “subscriptions – Renew/Upgrade Membership” tab at the top of the ALHR website pages and chose your class of membership. 3. Proceed to payment. Once … Read More >>

On Wednesday, 15 February 2017 the Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, asked the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade to inquire into and report on Establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia. ALHR’s Business and Human Rights Subcommittee provided a Submission to the Government’s Public Consultation regarding the details of the proposed modern … Read More >>